PS Audio Ultralink DAC vs newer CD player


Hi All,

I currently have an Esoteric P-500 transport (from 1993) and a PS Audio Ultralink DAC. I am wondering how this set up compares to newer CD players like Cambridge D500SE or 540C. My budget is around $400 and I prefer to buy used equipment. The rest of my system consists of these:
Thiel 3.5 speakers
Legacy High Current amp
Creek OBH-12 preamp
Tara Labs RSC cablings

Thanks for you inputs.
sas_quach
Sas Quach
You are where you need to be. If your transport takes a dive, just replace the transport.
If you want a warmer sound you could go for a tube preamp.
The biggest problem with separate trans/dacs is the SPDIF interface. The new PS Audio Perfect Wave eliminates this problem by using I2S. CD players eliminate SPDIF

Myself I have a Raysonic 228 cd player, replacing a 168 which is now for sale. Glorrious sound at a fairly sane price, but the PS was not avialble, nor is it quite, but if you can wait, do so
please does the ultralink 2 has discrete output analogue stage?
thanks for reading
paolo venezia italy